The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-07-13
EARLIEST FRIEND.
Story of the Man Who Induced Lincoln
and Douglas to Study Law.
New York Mail and Express

name. The Colonel was prominent in pol
tics before and during the war, and is one
of the Oldest living Chicago settlers. having
gone there in April, 1885, when he was ap.
pointed Receiver of Public Moneys by
General Jackson. The old gentleman is
eighty-four years of age, but very energetic
for his age, although he has Just got
through what he says was the hardest win
ter he ever experienced. His memory
seems unimpaired, and he loves TO talk of
old times and of famous men whom he
knew intimately, but who are now
dead. He was intimate with
latter being his especial favor
ite, and claims the distinction of having
been the man who induced both of them
TO study law. his story OF how he became
acquainted with Douglas and first suggest
ed TO him the idea of trying the Law is
particularly interesting.
II went TO the Legislature from Sanga-
mon County," he said, in conversation
with Chlcego Tribune reporter, Gin 1882,
and my first move was to introduce bill
to transfer the State capital from Vandalia
10 Springfield. 1t passed the House, but
was tied in the Senate, and that killed 1t
for two years; but, as you know. it was
afterward done. But that is neither here
nor there. | was going to tell you about
Douglas. Well, while l was in the Legis-
-NeNAS WoS ASSOANAA6 q pdpCl Oo44Cu luC
Jackson Democrat, from Jacksonville
started about 1928 or 1880, think-and it
attracted very general attention. It's DO
litical editorials were masterpieces, and
people began to ask who was writing them.
A lot of them asked me, bat didn't know.
/ thought very likely it was Lamburn-
Samuel Lamburn, think his name was
very able lawyer at Jacksonville, but 1
! didn't know it by any means. Well, l
thought I'd find out about it, so l went
down TO Jacksonville and saw Lamburn
| and asked him about it. No. said he,
I'm not writing them, but think know
who Isl
"'Who?' 1 asked.
"'Well, young school teacher here
named Stephen A. Douglas he said. He
won't admit it, but 1 think he's the
man.
That night Lamburn took me out TO
call on him, and when l saw him l
couldn't believe he was writing those ed
ltorials. BE was so young-only about
nineteen or twenty years of age. Bat L
wanted to find out about it, so 1 invited
bim to call on me at my Motel the next
day. DE came, and l asked him who was
writing the Democrats editorials.
"'Why, the editor, | suppose he said,
| in an off-hand way.
"'Oh, no be isn't answered. Hes a
| very good writer, but Re can't write on pol
itics like that. Some one else is doing it,
"'Who?' he asked.
"'Well, thought it was one of your old,
| grsy-haired lawyers here said, but your
| neigh bors all say it is you
" oh, couldn't write on politics. he
said, laughing Pm only a school teacher
-"And bel stuck to it.for awhile, but
| finally, under a promise of secrecy, he ad-
mitted that be was doing it to help exc out
living. Then advised him to study law.
| l pointed out to him that as a school
teacher he had no future before him, and
he agreed with me in that, but said he had
no money. l told him he didn't need any;
that he could go Into the Office of some
prominent lawyer as a clerk, and in the
end be took my advice.
Afterwari Colonel Taylor installed the
same ideas into Lincoln, and when Lin
| coin and Douglas were both running for
| the presidency, although supporting the
latter, he yet retained the friendship aud
| confidence of the former Mention has al
ready been made of his visit to Washing
ton in 1862. when he first suggested the
plan of issuing treasury notes bearing no
interest to meet the expenses OF the war.
| Secretary Chase did not approve of the
plan, but Lincoln did, and it was afterward
adopted. The financial distress at that
time every one has read about. but Colonel
Taylor says no one who was not with the
army could appreciate it.
81 went to Cairo" he said, ''to see Gen.
eral Grant before going to Washington,
and he invited me to remain over to see an
inspection. Well, the next day they had
| the inspection, and when it was over /
asked to have the men drawn up in hol-
low square, as small as possible, so could
talk TO them. 1 told them that there was
little fort down the river that was capt
uring all the commerce-laden boats that
frin 10 r. hot uvoc Aniu 70 ono ro
toward impoyerishing the nation; and that
/ wanted them 10 fill their knapsacks and
cartri6ge-boxes, and 60 and take it. At
first there was low murmur, which grad
uaIly swelled into a mighty shout of Gen.
eral Grant! General Grant! Where's our
pay We want our money! And that
was ell l could get out of them. They
were poor men, they said; they had starv-
ing families at home, ana they must have
money to send to them or they would de-
sert. They hadn't been paid for three
months, and that's the way it was every
where"
In regard to his early life in Chicago the
Colonel tells a curious incident. When he
was appointed Receiver in the Land Office
here his bond was fixed at $4,000, which
| was supposed to be enough to cover all he
might recei Te, but in forty days he took in
1893, 600. Had he been inclined to skip"
the loss of the bond would hardly have
worried him very much. He had to take
this money to Detroit by boat to deposit
| il. About all the land now occupied by
the city of Chicago was sold by him, and
the highest price paid was So 10 per acre.
That was some south of Twenty-second
street; the rest, including that on which
the business portion OF the city now stands,
went for 81. 25 per acre.
At one time Colonel Taylor owned four
teen large blocks of stores, giving him an
income of over 500, 900 year, but he lost
everything in the FIRE, and now intends to
apply 10 Congress for remuneration for his
services during the war.
II served as a dispatch-bearer between
Washington, Cairo, Springfield, st. Louis
and Chicago" he explained. land not only
| received no remuneration for my services
but paid all my expenses out of my own
pocket. Well, ! was rich then and was
glad to do it, but am poor now and need
the money, so 1 am going to apply to the
next Congress for it."